In recent weeks national and local media outlets have reported about proposed changes to diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM 5). The proposed changes have not been formalized and that process is expected to be completed by December 2012. – Editor What will the…
Corporal Punishment – It’s the Law! Bill 498
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Linda Griffin, Parent Advocate Director for the Autism Society of North Carolina. It’s the 21st Century, and we have made such incredible progress – from splitting the atom to landing on the moon. We believe that we are wise and enlightened. We have conducted research on…
State Budget and Managed Care Waiver Update
NC State Budget Last week the NC General Assembly passed a budget for the 2011-2013 budget years that was compromise bill negotiated between the NC House and NC Senate, prior to the Senate passing their own budget. In the final version, the General Assembly used the House version of the budget numbers for Health and…
A PATHway to help
Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Autism Society of North Carolina Parent Advocate Wanda Curley. Wanda works out of the Triad office in Greensboro. We appreciate her willingness to share her personal journey and insights. As a parent of a very amazing young adult with autism , I continue to be encouraged daily…
Autism Society of North Carolina Chapters – one person’s experience
Editor’s note: The following article is from Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) Parent Advocate Amy Perry. We appreciate her contribution! The Autism Society of North Carolina was formed by a group of parents in 1970 in hopes of finding support with each other and creating better opportunities for their children. Today ASNC has 45…
It’s Time to be the Teacher
Last year I did something I had never done before. I attended a committee meeting for the North Carolina General Assembly. Actually, it was the Senate Health Committee and on the calendar that day was a bill that would require all state regulated health plans, including the State Employee Health Plan, to cover behavioral therapy…
Autism Society of NC Advocacy at the Whitehouse!
Editor’s note: the following article was submitted by Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) Parent Advocate Judy Smithmyer. Judy, along with ASNC Director of Government Relations Jennifer Mahan, attended last Monday’s White House Autism Summit. This is Judy’s account of that eventful day. On April 25th 2011 I had the opportunity to participate in a…
Awareness Day at the General Assembly Changed to May 3
Save the Date for Autism Awareness Day! Mark your calendars now and join The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) at the for the 2011 Autism Awareness Day at the NC General Assembly on May 3rd from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. We will have educational programs in the morning on legislative issues and ASNC staff and volunteers available…
Finding Childcare for Children with Disabilities
This issue is particularly challenging in Wake County right now, as the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) recently began enforcing a policy (Board Policy # 7125) on the books: refusing to transport children beyond their districted school’s boundaries to afterschool centers. Until recently, children could be bused to their afterschool program even if it was outside…